Port Vale boss Neil Aspin is aiming to foster some England-style team spirit among his squad this pre-season.

The Valiants head for Ireland tomorrow for a five-day training and team-bonding break near Dublin before returning to play their first home friendly on Saturday when they entertain Blackburn Rovers.

Vale drew 1-1 at Kidsgrove Athletic this afternoon in a game moved forward to a 12.30pm kick off to allow supporters - and management and players - to watch England's World Cup quarter-final with Sweden.

England won that comfortably 2-0 but, speaking immediately after the Kidsgrove game, Aspin said he was already impressed by the spirit Gareth Southgate has managed to foster in the national squad.

Aspin took over at Vale in October when they were in a relegation battle so is enjoying his first opportunity to build a squad and work with them in pre-season without the pressure of having to get results until the campaign kicks off at home to Cambridge on August 4.

He says the trip to Ireland will be a useful part of the programme.

SAMARA, RUSSIA - JULY 07: An England fan shows their support after the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Sweden and England at Samara Arena on July 7, 2018 in Samara, Russia. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (Image: Getty)

The manager explained: "It is important. You need a good team spirit. People have always said with England that there is a good team spirit, but I think it is noticeable in this World Cup that there genuinely seems to be a really good spirit among the players and that does count for a lot.

"We have to foster that and the players have to want to go the extra mile and want to play for each other. This will be good in that respect."